The Freedom of Information (FoI) Act 2000 came into effect in 2005, giving the UK a broad right of access to information held by public authorities including government departments and local authorities. The Act obliges public authorities to offer requesters … Continue reading →

Investigative journalism is a primary source of information as it is a form of journalism whereby a reporter may spend months, even years, researching a single topic of interest – often involving issues surrounding crime. Such a profession would most … Continue reading →

There is no copyright in news itself, only in the form in which it is expressed. In McNae’s essential law for journalists, copyright is described as a property right in law, to control who can copy work created by artistic and other … Continue reading →

The law of breach of confidence is based upon the principle that a person who has been given information in confidence should not take unfair advantage of it. Governments, businesses and individuals use this law to protect information they regard … Continue reading →

In recent months floods of new information has come to light about DJ Jimmy Savile’s alleged sex attacks. On Tuesday October 16, 2012 The Sun branded the ex-presenter of Top of The Pops as ‘evil Jim’. In the article, which … Continue reading →

Defamation The law protects an individual’s personal and professional reputation from unjustified attack. In civil law a defamatory statement may be found to be a tort – a civil wrong for which a court may award monetary damages. A statement … Continue reading →